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The Nigerian government has assured corps members that the backlog of their delayed N77,000 allowance will be paid. Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande confirmed that the budget has been approved and payments will commence soon. The allowance was increased in September 2024 but faced months of delays.

The Nigerian government has reaffirmed its commitment to settling the delayed N77,000 monthly allowance owed to members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), months after the increment was announced.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, assured corps members that payments would be made despite delays, though he cautioned it might not be immediate. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, he attributed the delay to budgetary constraints, emphasizing that the allocation had now been approved, paving the way for disbursement.

The allowance was increased from N33,000 to N77,000 in September 2024 as part of the government’s efforts to align NYSC stipends with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024. However, six months later, corps members are yet to receive the promised increment, leading to frustration among many.

Last week, the NYSC Director-General, Olakunle Nafiu, hinted that payments would commence in March. Olawande echoed this, confirming that those who were part of the scheme when the increment was announced would receive backdated payments.

“We are working on it, and I assure you it will happen. The process is complete, and payments will begin soon,” Olawande stated.

Corps members across the country have expressed mixed reactions. Some are hopeful that the government will fulfill its promise, while others remain skeptical, given previous delays.